<ARTICLE> 5 <PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1997 <PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1996 <CASH> 6,116,137 <SECURITIES> 0 <RECEIVABLES> 110,320,726 <ALLOWANCES> 760,340 <INVENTORY> 0 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 0 <PP&E> 0 <DEPRECIATION> 0 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 128,036,870 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0 <BONDS> 102,432,154 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,567 <OTHER-SE> 23,346,396 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 128,036,870 <SALES> 4,577,626 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 4,577,626 <CGS> 1,668,225 <TOTAL-COSTS> 1,668,225 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,542,041 <LOSS-PROVISION> 341,367 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0 <INCOME-PRETAX> 1,271,638 <INCOME-TAX> 464,177 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 807,461 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 807,461 <EPS-PRIMARY> 0.15 <EPS-DILUTED> 0.15